Arts Watch, Feb. Through Mar., 2016

Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is known for its award-winning beaches, nationally-renowned golf courses and world-class fishing, but did you know the destination is also home to art galleries and national exhibits, festivals, orchestras, theatrical productions, and the vibrant and active Charlotte Arts & Humanities Council, year-round? A great way to stay abreast of the many amazing arts offerings is to bookmark the Charlotte Arts website, and subscribe to Charlotte Arts Weekly newsletter.

Must-Experience Festivals:

FunkFest7:Returns to Punta Gorda for the seventh year on March 4 – 5 with a lineup that’s better than ever, featuring both local and nationally-known talent. Twelve bands, two stages and two days filled with music and entertainment, FunkFest 7 is a must-experience, one-of-a-kind event! Check out the headliners and purchase tickets.

Peace River National Art Festival:Charlotte County’s premier outdoor juried fine arts show returns for the 10th annual event on March 19 - 20 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Peace River National Art Festival (PRNAF) showcases nearly 100 nationally recognized juried artists representing various mediums including art glass, fiber arts, jewelry, leather goods, metalwork, oil paintings, photography, pottery, stone sculptures and watercolors. What began as a fundraiser in 2005 to restore the local Visual Art Center facility after the effects of Hurricane Charley has grown into a staple event in the county drawing over 8,000 visitors.

Spring Fine Arts Festival: The Rotary Club of Englewood will be hosting the Spring Fine Arts Festival from March 19 – 20 on Dearborn St. in Downtown Englewood. Well-known local artists and exhibitors will be showcasing fine arts in all mediums such as sculptures, paintings, jewelry, photography and pottery. All proceed raised during the event benefit the Englewood Rotary Youth Foundation and other rotary projects.

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A Must-See Exhibit:

The National Art Exhibition is one of the nation’s most prestigious juried exhibitions of two-dimensional media and features artists from across the U.S. and Canada. Jeffrey T. Larson, an Art Renewal Center (ARC) Living Master, juried the 2016 show. Exhibition runs until Mar. 12; The Visual Arts Center will be open 7 days a week for this special event and admission is free.

An Evening of PoetryPoets from across the country will submit a poem about one of the National Art Exhibition works; ten poems will be selected and each will be read by the poet at the event. Submission deadline is Feb. 29; the selected will be notified on or before Mar. 4.For details, contact Dorothy at dhbrooks430@gmail.com or 941.505.4109. Mar. 7, 7:00 pm. The Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St., Punta Gorda

Placida Art Market Everything from paintings, sculpture, metal work and jewelry to fine crafts and pottery is on display in the unique, historic village of Placida. Start at the Albritton Gallery and work your way around! 941.698.0603 or thealbrittongallery.com. Feb. 27, Mar. 5, 12, 26, Apr. 2, 9:00 am–4:00 pm. 13020 Fishery Rd., Placida

The Peace River Painters always have a full house—so to speak—for their plein air (“in the open air”) excursions, and they’re always visiting naturally exciting locales. Recent trips include The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, the PG Horse Farm, and Pottery Express. Their paint-outs are free and open to all artists, and take place every Monday at 8:30 am. Visit peaceriverpainters.com or email peaceriverpainters@gmail.com for more information. An exhibit of their collective work runs until Feb. 28 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte County, 1532 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte

Paint Parties offer a creative outlet in a social setting. Parties are offered weekly at:

The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society strives to preserve the rich history of the area through the beauty of mural art. To date, 28 murals have been completed, establishing Punta Gorda as one of the leading mural towns in the country! Each mural includes a QR code. Visit puntagordamurals.org for more information.Punta Gorda

Visani Comedy Zone showcases tribute shows and nationally-known comedians and performers, and often offers dinner and a show for one price. Visit visani.net for details and tickets.

Music:

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra regularly sells out, so get your tickets early for their last two concerts of the season: Brahms, Mar. 6, and Beethoven, Mar. 20. Visit charlottesymphony.com

The Gulfshore Opera is often selling out, in only its second season, but there are still tickets to their remaining two performances: Saint Matthew Passion, Mar. 18, and Elixir of Love, Apr. 15. Visit gulfshoreopera.org.

The Charlotte Chorale presents With a Voice of Singing, Feb. 27, and School Days, Apr. 17. Visit charlottechorale.com

The Charlotte Performing Arts Center is home to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Gulf Shore Opera, and the Charlotte Chorale, as well as Troupe 0922, Silver King Band, and Charisma, elite performance groups from Charlotte High School. Visit thecpac.net for a full schedule.

Charlotte Harbor Event Center hosts myriad concerts, events, and multi-day festivities and shows of all stripes. Visit charlotteharborecc.com for the full schedule.

The Cultural Center often hosts The Charlotte Players, national touring musical events and home-grown talent, as well as monthly bluegrass, jazz, and big band concerts (Oct. through Apr.) Visit theculturalcenter.com for details.

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About the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast

Florida's premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, The Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast, is known for its pristine, unspoiled beauty. The area has hosted seven major feature films, been featured on SAIL magazine's list of the "10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States," ranked by Golf Digest as the "Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America," and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the "Best Places to Live in the South." For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor and Convention Bureau, 1700 Tamiami Trail, Suite G-2, Port Charlotte, FL; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor's Guide; or visit the Web site at CharlotteHarborTravel.com.